What is some good wives tales or home remedies for a cold

HEADACHE: Steven H. Horne, author of The ABC Herbal says that "the fastest way to get rid of a headache is not to take something internally, but to apply something externally and massage the muscles to reduce the swelling and take out the tension. Painkillers simply shut down the nerve messages that tell you something is wrong-they do not solve the problem." If you have some essential oil of peppermint or essential oil of cinnamon, rub some onto your temple where your head hurts. (These are the best oils, but try any kind of essential oil that is on hand, as the massaging may be the most beneficial in spite of the ingredients.) I have also heard that you can sprinkle some cinnamon on buttered toast and eat it. I don't know by experience as I get very few headaches. But these are things I will try when I get one.

EARACHE: Peel a clove of garlic and place it into the opening of your ear (like you would a hearing aide). You could also put a couple of drops of garlic oil down into your ear and massage some oil on your neck around and below your ear. The oil may work faster. I have a friend who says she likes to use the clove of garlic. You can buy commercially prepared garlic oil or make it yourself.

***If you buy it already made, there are a couple of things to remember. If the garlic is still in the oil, you must either strain it out to store it at room temperature or, if you leave the garlic in the oil, you must refrigerate the oil. Then every two weeks heat the garlic and oil to a very hot temperature and place it back into the refrigerator. If you do not wish to go through the pains, then use it as much as possible in the first two weeks and then discard the remaining oil. This is because botulism spores can grow on the garlic that is in the oil. This can not happen if you take the garlic out of the oil-there is nothing for the bacteria to attach itself to. The oil may solidify in the refrigerator, but if you sit it out for a while at room temperature it will soon turn to liquid again. If you would like a recipe for making your own garlic oil, you can Email Me.